Motion Detector False Alarms
- Is it mounted per manufacturer instructions?
- Each Motion Detector will be designed and tested with a specific mounting height. The manual will indicate how high to mount the detector on the wall. Mounting outside of that parameter may cause unexpected behavior.
- Make sure the detector is away from air vents, fans, and drafts.
- Do not point the motion detector at windows where sunlight might shine in on the lens.
- Make sure it is properly angled per instructions if necessary.
- Is the sensitivity high?
- Often detectors will have a sensitivity setting which allows you to fine tune its operation a bit. Try lowering the sensitivity.
- Is the Zone Type correct?
- Motion detectors should use the Interior Follower zone type. This is the zone type that only activates during Away arming.
- If you have a 2GIG GC3 with firmware 2.2.0 or later, motion detectors must use Interior with Delay zone type instead, due to an unfixed 2GIG bug.
- Do you have pets?
- Cats are a significant false alarm hazard for motion detectors. This is due to their tendency to climb up to locations where the motion detector’s pet immunity has a harder time filtering them.
- Is the sensor pet immune? Some models of motion detector are not designed for use with pets at all.
- Try to keep furniture that pets climb on out of range.
- Is it a temperature controlled environment?
- If the sensor is installed in an outdoor/unregulated environment like a garage, barn, shed, etc., it should be an outdoor rated model. A standard indoor sensor will have a variety of potential false alarm/failure causes.